Combine harvester concave bar and separator grate

ABSTRACT

A concave separator or concave separation grate assembly and configuration for separating operations of a combine harvester is disclosed having integrated, interchangeable, and removable finger-like like configurations and assortments that can allow full separation of crop material from chaff, straw, vines and the like, thereby increasing grain separating capacity in a combine, improved breaking up the chaff-grain material, among other advantages. The separator grate assembly can include a bracket or grate member, and a plurality of first protruding members secured to the bracket member and having a first configuration, the first protruding member having a proximal end and a distal end. The first protruding members can include an elevation or angle relative to a horizontal plane when secured to the bracket member, and wherein each of the plurality of first protruding members can be equally spaced apart from each other when secured the bracket member.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to introduce the reader to aspects of art thatmay be related to various aspects of the present disclosure describedherein, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion isbelieved to be helpful in providing the reader with backgroundinformation to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspectsof the present disclosure described herein. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that these statements are to be read in this light, and notas admissions of prior art.

A combine harvester is a machine that is used to harvest grain crops.The objective is to complete several processes, which traditionally weredistinct, in one pass of the machine over a particular part of thefield. Among the crops that may be harvested with a combine can includebut is not limited to wheat, oats, rye, barley, corn, soybeans, and flaxor linseed. The waste (e.g., straw) left behind on the field includesthe remaining dried stems and leaves of the crop having limitednutrients which may be, for example, chopped and spread on the field orbaled for feed and bedding for livestock. Generally, the combineharvester includes a header, which removes the crop from a field, and afeeder housing which transports the crop matter into a threshing rotor.The threshing rotor can include one or more rotors which can extendaxially (front to rear) or transversely within the body of the combine,and which are partially or fully surrounded by one or more perforatedconcaves. In particular, the there may be a rotor having concave barsand grates for threshing operations of the crop, and another concavegrate having fingers for separation operations of the crop material,also known as separation concaves or separation grates. Generally, theseparation grate is meant to separate any grain that is caught inmaterial other than grain, such as chaff, shucks, stalk, leafy material,among others, which may also be referred to herein as MOG.

Here, the concave and separator grate assemblies can be arrangedside-by-side axially along the processing system of a combine harvester.The crop material is threshed and separated by the rotation of the rotorwithin the concave. Coarser non-grain crop material such as stalks andleaves are transported to the rear of the combine and discharged back tothe field. The separated grain, together with some finer non-grain cropmaterial such as chaff, dust, straw, and other crop residue can bedischarged through the concaves and fall onto a grain pan where they aretransported to a cleaning system.

However, current conventional concave bars and separation grates havecertain configurations that are not optimized to maximize threshing andseparating of the crop material, thereby resulting in inefficientharvesting and wasted crop. In one example of conventional combineconcaves, if a combine harvester has three concaves, then a crop that isthreshed in a first concave can still be threshed by the other twoconcaves behind it, or a ⅔ probability for the crop grains to fallthrough the concave openings before it is discharged to the back and outof the combine. However, if the crop does not get threshed until thesecond concave, then it has a ⅓ probability for it to be threshed beforeit reaches the third concave. Further, if the crop is not threshed inthe second concave, then the third concave can become overloaded withcrop and grain material and operating at over capacity, thus resultingin the grain being discharged out the back of the combine and resultingin very inefficient harvesting.

What is needed is a concave bar configuration that is optimized tocertain threshing angles for its bars to maximize a threshing surfacearea of crop material and minimize the time needed to thresh the crop,such that seed or grain has more efficient and quickly fall through theopenings of the concave, thereby minimizing or eliminating wasted cropmaterial, among others. What is also needed is a more efficientseparation grate that provides full separation of the grain, maximizesseparation capacity of the combine, and more effective agitation of thecrop and grain material, thereby maximizing harvesting efficiency, amongothers.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure described herein, a concave grate,concave bar, or concave rod assembly and configuration for threshingoperations of a combine harvester is disclosed having concave bars orrods configured at various angles and positions such that they maximizethreshing throughput, have increased longevity from case hardening andhard surfacing, provide more threshing surface area for hard to threshsmaller grains, leafy crops, or high moisture crops, in addition tocapturing more crop for threshing, increasing harvest yields, reducingtime in changing out concaves on the field, faster threshing thatincreases combine capacity, and having hardened steel rod componentswith an extended life cycle, among other advantages.

In another aspect of the disclosure described herein, an apparatus isdisclosed for separating grain in a combine harvester. Here, theapparatus can include an elongated bar having a semi-cylindrical orpartially round configuration. Further, the elongated bar can include apartial cut-out, notch, or channel longitudinally extending the lengthof the elongated bar, and wherein the elongated bar can be configured tobe secured to a concave of the combine harvester. Here, the partialcut-out, notch, or channel further can include a first sloped or raisedsurface. Further, the first sloped or raised surface can be configuredto make contact with one or more grains of a crop material, therebyseparating the the one or more grains from the crop material. The slopedor raised surface can include a 20 degree angle relative to a horizontalplane. In addition, the sloped or raised surface can include a 25 degreeangle relative to a horizontal plane. The sloped or raised surface canalso include a 30 degree angle relative to a horizontal plane. Thesloped or raised surface can also include a 35 degree angle relative toa horizontal plane. The the sloped or raised surface can also includefurther comprised of a 40 degree angle relative to a horizontal plane.Further, the sloped or raised surface can also include a 45 degree anglerelative to a horizontal plane. The sloped or raised surface can alsoinclude a 50 degree angle relative to a horizontal plane. The sloped orraised surface can include a 65 degree angle relative to a horizontalplane. The sloped or raised surface can include a 90 degree anglerelative to a horizontal plane. The apparatus may also include a firstraised surface and a second raised surface, wherein the first raisedsurface is at an angle relative to a horizontal plane that is more orless than the second raised surface. Here, the first raised surface caninclude a 30 degree angle, and the second raised surface can include a45 degree angle relative to a horizontal plane.

In another aspect of the disclosure described herein, an apparatus isdisclosed for separating grain in a combine harvester. Here, theapparatus can include an elongated bar. The elongated bar can furtherinclude a partial cut-out, notch, or channel longitudinally extendingthe length of the elongated bar. Here, the partial cut-out, notch, orchannel can include a first surface and a second surface configured tomake contact and with one or more grains of a crop material, wherein thefirst surface is a first raised angle or elevation relative to thesecond surface, and wherein the elongated bar is configured to besecured to a rotary concave of the combine harvester.

In another aspect of the disclosure described herein, a concaveseparator or concave separation grate assembly and configuration forseparating operations of a combine harvester is disclosed havingintegrated, interchangeable, and removable finger-like likeconfigurations and assortments that can allow full separation of cropmaterial from chaff, straw, vines and the like, in addition toseparating grain entrapped in the threshed crop material, increasinggrain separating capacity in a combine, improved breaking up thechaff-grain material, increased agitation of the mixture of grain andchaff for separating the grain from the chaff, lifting and moving strawaway from grain material, and reducing threshed grain that wouldotherwise be diverted or discharged out of the back of the combine,among other advantages.

In another aspect of the disclosure described herein, an apparatus isdisclosed for separating grain in a combine harvester. The apparatus caninclude a bracket member, and a plurality of first protruding memberssecured to the bracket member and having a first configuration, thefirst protruding member having a proximal end and a distal end. Thefirst protruding members can include an elevation or angled relative toa horizontal plane when secured to the bracket member, and wherein eachof the plurality of first protruding members can be equally spaced apartfrom each other when secured the bracket member. Here, the proximal endof the first protruding members can be slightly larger in width ordiameter relative to the distal end. Further, the first configuration ofthe first protruding members can further include a smooth, beveled, orrounded exterior surface. In addition, the apparatus can include aplurality of second protruding members having a second configurationindependent of the the first configuration of the first protrudingmembers. Here, second protruding members can further include a lowerregion and an upper region, wherein the lower region is shorter in widthrelative to the upper region. In addition, the second protruding memberscan include smooth, beveled, or rounded exterior surface. The secondprotruding members can also be secured to the first bracket member incombination with the second protruding members. The second protrudingmembers can also include a serrated edge configuration, wherein theserrated edge configuration can include at least two partial cut-outsthereby defining a first teeth, second teeth, and third teeth. Inaddition, the bracket member can also include one or more mountingregions, configured to be mounted to a concave of a combine harvester.

In another aspect of the disclosure described herein, an apparatus forseparating grain in a combine harvester is disclosed. The apparatus caninclude a bracket member, and a plurality of first protruding memberssecured to the bracket member and having a first configuration, thefirst protruding member having a proximal end and a distal end. Here,the protruding members can further include an elevation or angledrelative to a horizontal plane when secured to the bracket member. Inaddition, wherein each of the plurality of first protruding members canbe equally spaced apart from each other when secured the bracket member.Here, the protruding members can include a width of approximately 0.75inches. Further, the protruding members can include a width ofapproximately 1.0 inches. The protruding members can also include awidth of approximately 1.25 inches. In addition, the protruding memberscan include a width of approximately 1.5 inches. The apparatus canfurther include a plurality of second protruding members, wherein thesecond protruding members can include a width that is less than a widthof the first protruding members. Here, the first and second protrudingmembers can also be arranged in an alternating configuration.

The above summary is not intended to describe each and every disclosedembodiment or every implementation of the disclosure. The Descriptionthat follows more particularly exemplifies the various illustrativeembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings,in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in likefashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depictselected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of thedisclosure. The disclosure may be more completely understood inconsideration of the following detailed description of variousembodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one non-limiting embodiment ofa general overview for a concave bar and separator grate assembly of thedisclosure described herein for a combine harvester.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional side view and a close-upperspective view for one non-limiting embodiment of one or more bars orrods of the concave bar assembly of the disclosure described herein.

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limitingembodiment of a bar having a 20 degree partial cut-out for the concavebar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshingoperations.

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limitingembodiment of a bar having a 25 degree partial cut-out for the concavebar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshingoperations.

FIG. 3C illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limitingembodiment of a bar having a 35 degree partial cut-out for the concavebar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshingoperations.

FIG. 3D illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limitingembodiment of a bar having a 40 degree partial cut-out for the concavebar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshingoperations.

FIG. 3E illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limitingembodiment of a bar having a 45 degree partial cut-out for the concavebar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshingoperations.

FIG. 3F illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limitingembodiment of a bar having a 50 degree partial cut-out for the concavebar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshingoperations.

FIG. 3G illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limitingembodiment of a bar having a 65 degree partial cut-out for the concavebar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshingoperations.

FIG. 3H illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limitingembodiment of a bar having a 90 degree partial cut-out for the concavebar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshingoperations.

FIG. 3I illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limitingembodiment of a bar having a first 30 degree partial cut-out and second45 degree partial cut-out for the concave bar assembly of the disclosuredescribed herein for crop threshing operations.

FIG. 3J illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limitingembodiment of a bar having a 30 degree partial cut-out for the concavebar assembly of the disclosure described herein for crop threshingoperations.

FIG. 3K illustrates a cross-sectional side view for one non-limitingembodiment of a bar having dual or double 90-degree cut-outs for theconcave bar assembly of the disclosure described herein for cropthreshing operations.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective side view for one non-limitingembodiment of a concave separator grate assembly of the disclosuredescribed herein for crop separation operations.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a bracket or grate member in onenon-limiting embodiment having mounting points and further having a rowof uniform small fingers or small protruding members of the separationgrate of the disclosure described herein for crop separation operations.

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective side view of another bracket or gratemember having having a row of uniform small fingers or protrudingmembers that are intermixed or combined with large fingers or largeprotruding members of the separation grate of the disclosure describedherein for crop separation operations.

FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective front view of the embodiment of FIG.6A.

FIG. 6C illustrates a perspective side view of another non-limitingembodiment of a small finger or small protruding member and large fingeror large protruding member alternating configuration for a bracketmember.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective side view of one non-limitingembodiment of the small finger or small protruding member of theseparation grate of the disclosure described herein for crop separationoperations.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective side view for one non-limitingembodiment of the large finger or large protruding member of theseparation grate having a smooth outer edge of the disclosure describedherein for crop separation operations.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective side view of another non-limitingembodiment of the large finger or large protruding member of theseparation grate having a sharp serrated edge or teeth members of thedisclosure described herein for crop separation operations.

FIG. 10 illustrates another perspective side view of the embodiment ofFIG. 9, shown with dimensions for various areas of the large finger orlarge protruding member having a serrated edge or teeth members of thedisclosure described herein for crop separation operations.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrates perspective views of a bracket or grate memberin a method of assembling a large finger or large protruding member ofthe separation grate to the bracket member of the disclosure describedherein.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the bracket or grate member ina method of securing the bracket member to the separation grate of thedisclosure described herein for crop separation operations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Brief Summary of the present disclosure above and in the DetailedDescription of the disclosure described herein, and the claims below,and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particularfeatures (including method steps) of the disclosure described herein. Itis to be understood that the disclosure of the disclosure describedherein in this specification includes all possible combinations of suchparticular features. For example, where a particular feature isdisclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of thedisclosure described herein, or a particular claim, that feature canalso be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in thecontext of other particular aspects and embodiments of the disclosuredescribed herein, and in the disclosure described herein generally.

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information toenable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure describedherein and illustrate the best mode of practicing the disclosuredescribed herein. In addition, the disclosure described herein does notrequire that all the advantageous features and all the advantages needto be incorporated into every embodiment of the disclosure describedherein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial simplified view of a combine harvesterhaving a concave bar and separation grate assembly of the disclosuredescribed herein, shown in a generalized and overview depiction. Inparticular, a combine harvester 100 can include a feeder roller 110configured to grasp and feed various crop material 400 to the concaverotors of the harvester. In addition, harvester 100 includes a helicalrotor having a concave bar or rod assembly 200 for threshing the cropmaterial 400, and wherein the helical rotor further includes aseparation concave or separation grate for further separating the cropmaterial 400 for separation operations after the threshing operations.More specifically, concave 200 and concave 300 can rotate in either aclockwise or counter-clockwise configuration causing the crop materialto rotate or move in an opposing direction thereby threshing the cropand separating it from its stalk or chaff. In addition, concave 200 caninclude a plurality of bars or rods 210 secured longitudinally withinthe concavity region of concave 210 for crop threshing operations.Further, concave 300 includes a plurality of bracket members 310 securedto the interior of the concavity of concave 300, wherein each bracketmember 310 can have a variety of fingers or protruding members for cropseparation operations.

Concave Threshing Bar

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the concave bar 200of the disclosure described herein. In particular, each rod or bar 210of concave bar extends laterally across the concave region.Alternatively, each bar 210 may also be staggered with respect to eachother or not extend to the width of the concave. In particular, asillustrated in FIGS. 3A-3K, each bar 210 has a cut-out region or wedgeshape in particular angles that significantly improve the threshingsurface area of the bar, depending on the type of crop material beingharvested or threshed. Moreover, this is accomplished by optimizing thethreshing surface angle to bars with threshing angle from 25 degrees upto 90 degrees, preferably from about 30 degrees up to and includingabout 45 degrees, or 30-45 degrees. Here, such threshing angles providesignificantly more threshing surface area with respect to conventionalconcave bars, thereby improving threshing effectiveness and the time ittakes to thresh crop material. In particular, through testing, it hasbeen found that the 25 to 90 degrees angles, preferably from about 30degrees up to and including about 45 degrees, or 30-45 degrees, canprovide up to thirty (30) times more threshing surface area with respectto conventional bars. In particular, this improved threshing surfacearea results in the crop being completely threshed and leaving little toor un-threshed crop. For example, in one example of corn on a cob, theincreased threshing surface area resulted in more force or pressureapplied to each single kernel on the cob, thereby causing each singlekernel to separate or detach from the cob. In addition, the angledconfigurations of the concave bar 210 of the disclosure described hereinfurther allows crop to be threshed in less time, thereby allowing moretime for the the grains of the threshed crop to sift through theconcave.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3K various configurations for the bars 210 ofconcave 200 are shown with respect to crop 400, such as grain kernels ona corn cob. Here, elongated bars or rods 210 are generally comprised ofa round, partially round, notched, oval, rectangular, polygonal,semi-round, semi-cylindrical configuration, or a cylindricalconfiguration having a cut-out, channel, groove, or notch region. Morespecifically, semi-cylindrical configuration can include raised surfaces212A, 212B, 212C, 212D, 212E, 212F, 212G, 212H, 212I, 214I, 212J, 212K,and 214K that raise from an approximate center or mid-point region ofbar 210. Here, the diameter of each bar 212 can be generally from 3/16inch up to and including two (2) inches, preferably 0.75 to 1.25 inches.In addition, the raised angle, grade, or slope of surfaces 212A-212K,that can range from approximately 20 degrees up to and including 90degrees can be configured or adapted to the type of crop being threshed,the size of the crop, the moisture level of the crop, density of thecrop, and/or the amount of force required to separate a grain from thestalk or chaff of the crop. For example, an angle of 65 degrees or 90degrees, as shown in FIGS. 3G-3H, can be more disruptive and impactfulto crop 400, as opposed to an angle of 20 degrees, as shown in FIG. 3A.For example, with respect to FIGS. 3A-3D, crop 400 generally makes morecontact with surfaces 212A-212D, in ascending order, before the cropreaches the top sharp edge of bar 210. In these embodiments, the 20degree to 50 degree angles of bar 210 may be more beneficial for softeror less dense crop or grains that can more readily separate from thestalk or chaff, and also resulting in less damage to the crop. Incontrast, angles 65 to 90 degrees, as shown in FIGS. 3G-3H, may be moresuited for crops that may be more dense or have grains that aregenerally more difficult to separate from their stalk or chaff, therebyrequiring crop 400 to make more contact with the sharp outer edge of bar210 and less contact with surfaces 212G-212H.

FIG. 3I illustrates a combined or dual angled surfaces 212I and 214I forthreshing operations. More specifically, bar 210 of FIG. 3I, can includea first raised surface 212I having an approximate 30 degree anglerelative to a horizontal plane, and a second raised surface having a 45degree angle relative to the horizontal plane. The configuration of FIG.3I, and other embodiments thereof, can provide a dual or hybrid approachto threshing crop 400. In particular, the lower 30 degree angle canallow a grain or kernel of crop 400 to first make contact (and a firstforced impact) with surface area 214I before it makes a second contact(and a second forced impact) with surface area 212I and the sharp edgeof bar 210. Here, this dual surface configuration of bar 210 can provideadditional threshing to crop 400, wherein if the first contact (andfirst impact) did not loosen or release the kernel or grain from crop400, then the second contact (and second impact) can further assist inreleasing the kernel or grain from crop 400, thereby essentiallycombining two rotary threshing operations (or two passes) in one rotarythreshing operation (or one pass), thereby significantly improving theefficiency of the threshing operations.

It is contemplated within the scope of the disclosure described hereinthat any of rods 210 may be comprised of steel material to improvelongevity, durability, and wearability, including but not limited to:carbon steels, alloy steels, stainless steels, and tool steels.Preferably, rods 210 may be made of carbon steel, having a carboncontent ranging from approximately 0.1 to 1.5%. In particular, a lowcarbon steel may contain up to 0.3% carbon, a medium carbon steelcontaining 0.3-0.6% carbon, and a high carbon steel containing more than0.6% carbon. Moreover, the steel of rods 210 may also be cold formed viaprocesses such as rolling, bending, shearing, and drawing, among others.

TABLES 1-17 illustrate the the various test data simulations for anexemplary tested crop, here a corn cob with a 2-inch cob surface, withrespect to a conventional round or cylindrical bar and the various bar210 configurations or threshing angled surfaces 212A, 212B, 212C, 212D,212E, 212F, 212G, 212H, 212I, 214I, 212J, 212K, and 214K of thedisclosure described herein. In particular, the conditions orconstraints of the crop and threshing operation for this particularexemplary test comprised of the following, as shown with respect toTABLE 1:

TABLE 1 Conditions 220 bu/acre 18% moisture 57.51 lb/bu 1410 seeds/lb81,089 seeds/bu 27 mm concave clearance 350 rpm rotor speed 12 row head(30 ft) 30 in corn rows

TABLE 2 Conventional Round Bar (Control) THEORETICAL GRAIN GRAIN PASSGRAIN EMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN THRESHINGLOSS ACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu)KERNELS) PERCENT Round 1 200 30.30 24.78 81.78% 10.0 5.52 7.0 7.00% BarRound 2 200 30.30 25.33 83.60% 9.0 4.97 6.0 6.00% Bar Round 3 200 30.3024.78 81.78% 10.0 5.52 9.0 9.00% Bar Round 4 200 30.30 25.89 85.45% 8.04.41 8.0 8.00% Bar Round 5 200 30.30 25.33 83.60% 9.0 4.97 6.0 6.00% BarAVERAGE 25.22 83.24% 9.20 5.08 7.20 7.20%

TABLE 3 20-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAINEMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN THRESHING LOSSACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu)KERNELS) PERCENT 20 1 200 30.30 26.49 87.43% 5.0 3.81 2.0 2.00% Degree20 2 200 30.30 25.62 84.55% 6.0 4.68 2.0 2.00% Degree 20 3 200 30.3027.36 90.30% 4.0 2.94 2.0 2.00% Degree 20 4 200 30.30 26.43 87.23% 5.03.87 2.0 2.00% Degree 20 5 200 30.30 27.24 89.90% 4.0 3.06 1.0 1.00%Degree AVERAGE 26.63 87.88% 4.80 3.67 1.80 1.80%

TABLE 4 25-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAINEMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN THRESHING LOSSACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu)KERNELS) PERCENT 25 1 200 30.30 28.29 93.37% 3.0 2.01 3.0 3.00% Degree25 2 200 30.30 28.65 94.55% 2.0 1.65 2.0 2.00% Degree 25 3 200 30.3028.21 93.10% 3.0 2.09 3.0 3.00% Degree 25 4 200 30.30 28.64 94.52% 2.01.66 2.0 2.00% Degree 25 5 200 30.30 28.98 95.64% 2.0 1.32 1.0 1.00%Degree AVERAGE 28.55 94.24% 2.40 1.75 2.20 2.20%

TABLE 5 30-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAINEMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN THRESHING LOSSACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu) KERNELSPERCENT 30 1 200 30.30 29.58 97.62% 1.0 0.72 1.0 1.00% Degree 30 2 20030.30 29.51 97.39% 1.0 0.79 0.0 0.00% Degree 30 3 200 30.30 28.82 95.12%2.0 1.48 2.0 2.00% Degree 30 4 200 30.30 29.48 97.29% 1.0 0.82 0.0 0.00%Degree 30 5 200 30.30 30.30 100.00% 0.0 0 1.0 1.00% Degree AVERAGE 29.5397.49% 1.00 0.76 0.80 0.80%

TABLE 6 35-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAINEMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN THRESHING LOSSACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu)KERNELS) PERCENT 35 1 200 30.30 27.96 92.28% 3.0 2.34 2.0 2.00% Degree35 2 200 30.30 28.67 94.62% 2.0 1.63 1.0 1.00% Degree 35 3 200 30.3028.72 94.79% 2.0 1.58 2.0 2.00% Degree 35 4 200 30.30 27.99 92.38% 3.02.31 1.0 1.00% Degree 35 5 200 30.30 28.74 94.85% 2.0 1.56 0.0 0.00%Degree AVERAGE 28.42 93.78% 2.40 1.88 1.20 1.20%

TABLE 7 40-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAINEMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN THRESHING LOSSACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu)KERNELS) PERCENT 40 1 200 30.30 29.57 97.59% 1.0 0.73 1.0 1.00% Degree40 2 200 30.30 28.74 94.85% 2.0 1.56 1.0 1.00% Degree 40 3 200 30.3029.54 97.49% 1.0 0.76 1.0 1.00% Degree 40 4 200 30.30 29.55 97.52% 1.00.75 1.0 1.00% Degree 40 5 200 30.30 28.70 94.72% 2.0 1.6 2.0 2.00%AVERAGE 29.22 96.44% 1.40 1.08 1.20 1.20%

TABLE 8 45-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAINEMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN THRESHING LOSSACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu)KERNELS) PERCENT 45 1 200 30.30 30.30 100.00% 0.0 0 0.0 0.00% Degree 452 200 30.30 29.83 98.45% 1.0 0.47 1.0 1.00% Degree 45 3 200 30.30 29.2096.37% 2.0 1.1 0.0 0.00% Degree 45 4 200 30.30 29.87 98.58% 1.0 0.43 1.01.00% Degree 45 5 200 30.30 30.30 100.00% 0.0 0 0.0 0.00% Degree AVERAGE29.90 98.68% 0.80 0.40 0.40 0.40%

TABLE 9 Dual 30-Degree and 45-Degree Threshing Angle SurfacesTHEORETICAL GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAIN EMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER DAMAGE PASSLENGTH VOLUME GRAIN THRESHING LOSS ACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu)VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu) KERNELS) PERCENT 45-30 1 200 30.3030.30 100.00% 0.0 0 0.0 0.00% Degree 45-30 2 200 30.30 29.91 98.71% 1.00.39 1.0 1.00% Degree 45-30 3 200 30.30 30.30 100.00% 0.0 0 0.0 0.00%Degree 45-30 4 200 30.30 29.89 98.65% 1.0 0.41 1.0 1.00% Degree 45-30 5200 30.30 30.04 99.14% 1.0 0.26 0.0 0.00% Degree AVERAGE 30.09 99.30%0.60 0.21 0.40 0.40%

TABLE 10 50-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAINEMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN THRESHING LOSSACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu)KERNELS) PERCENT 50 1 200 30.30 29.56 97.56% 1.0 0.74 0.0 0.00% Degree50 2 200 30.30 28.86 95.25% 2.0 1.44 1.0 1.00% Degree 50 3 200 30.3027.93 92.18% 3.0 2.37 0.0 0.00% Degree 50 4 200 30.30 28.76 94.92% 2.01.54 1.0 1.00% Degree 50 5 200 30.30 29.56 97.56% 1.0 0.74 0.0 0.00%Degree AVERAGE 28.93 95.49% 1.80 1.37 0.40 0.40%

TABLE 11 55-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAINEMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN THRESHING LOSSACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu)KERNELS) PERCENT 55 1 200 30.30 26.45 87.29% 5.0 3.85 2.0 2.00% Degree55 2 200 30.30 27.15 89.60% 4.0 3.15 2.0 2.00% Degree 55 3 200 30.3026.49 87.43% 5.0 3.81 2.0 2.00% Degree 55 4 200 30.30 25.62 84.55% 6.04.68 3.0 3.00% Degree 55 5 200 30.30 26.55 87.62% 5.0 3.75 1.0 1.00%Degree AVERAGE 26.45 87.30% 5.00 3.85 2.00 2.00%

TABLE 12 60-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAINEMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN THRESHING LOSSACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu)KERNELS) PERCENT 60 1 200 30.30 26.40 87.13% 5.0 3.9 3.0 3.00% Degree 602 200 30.30 26.35 86.96% 5.0 3.95 3.0 3.00% Degree 60 3 200 30.30 27.2289.83% 4.0 3.08 2.0 2.00% Degree 60 4 200 30.30 25.50 84.16% 6.0 4.8 3.03.00% Degree 60 5 200 30.30 26.40 87.13% 5.0 3.9 2.0 2.00% DegreeAVERAGE 26.37 87.04% 5.00 3.93 2.60 2.60%

TABLE 13 65-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAINEMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN THRESHING LOSSACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu)KERNELS) PERCENT 65 1 200 30.30 26.55 87.62% 5.0 3.75 5.0 5.00% Degree65 2 200 30.30 26.60 87.79% 5.0 3.7 6.0 6.00% Degree 65 3 200 30.3026.65 87.95% 5.0 3.65 6.0 6.00% Degree 65 4 200 30.30 25.19 83.14% 7.05.11 5.0 5.00% Degree 65 5 200 30.30 25.86 85.35% 6.0 4.44 5.0 5.00%Degree AVERAGE 26.17 86.37% 5.60 4.13 5.40 5.40%

TABLE 14 90-Degree Threshing Angle THEORETICAL GRAIN GRAIN PASS GRAINEMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN THRESHING LOSSACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu)KERNELS) PERCENT 90 1 200 30.30 26.87 88.68% 4.0 3.43 10.0 10.00% Degree90 2 200 30.30 26.42 87.19% 5.0 3.88 12.0 12.00% Degree 90 3 200 30.3027.28 90.03% 4.0 3.02 9.0 9.00% Degree 90 4 200 30.30 26.27 86.70% 5.04.03 11.0 11.00% Degree 90 5 200 30.30 26.49 87.43% 4.0 3.81 9.0 9.00%Degree AVERAGE 26.67 88.01% 4.40 3.63 10.20 10.20%

TABLE 15 Dual 90-Degree Threshing Angles THEORETICAL GRAIN GRAIN PASSGRAIN EMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER DAMAGE PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN THRESHINGLOSS ACRE TANK (100 TYPE # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu)KERNELS) PERCENT Double 90 1 200 30.30 29.05 95.87% 2.0 1.25 8.0 8.00%Degree Double 90 2 200 30.30 28.57 94.29% 3.0 1.73 10.0 10.00% DegreeDouble 90 3 200 30.30 28.41 93.76% 3.0 1.89 9.0 9.00% Degree Double 90 4200 30.30 28.25 93.23% 4.0 2.05 10.0 10.00% Degree Double 90 5 200 30.3028.87 95.28% 2.0 1.43 9.0 9.00% Degree AVERAGE 28.63 94.49% 2.80 1.679.20 9.20%

TABLE 16 Trend Analysis of Threshing Angles THRESHING 2″ COB THRESHINGTHRESHING ANGLE SURFACE AREA SURFACE AREA EFFICIENCY % DAMAGE Ideal262.0 100.00%  100.0% 0.0% 30-45 252.6 96.4% 99.3% 0.4% 45 195.6 74.7%98.7% 0.4% 30 174.7 66.7% 97.5% 0.8% 40 154.2 58.9% 96.4% 1.4% 50 132.450.55%  95.5% 1.2% Double 90 96.6 36.9% 94.5% 9.2% 25 121.2 46.2% 94.2%2.2% 35 120.3 45.9% 93.8% 1.2% 90 90.0 34.3% 88.0% 10.2% 20 106.7 40.7%87.9% 1.8% 55 100.6 38.4% 87.3% 2.0% 60 93.7 35.75%  87.0% 2.6% 65 92.735.4% 86.4% 5.4% Round Bar 83.4 31.8% 83.2% 7.2%

TABLE 17 Results Summary of Threshing Angles THRESHING 2″ COB SURFACETHRESHING THRESHING % ANGLE AREA SURFACE AREA EFFICIENCY DAMAGE 20 106.740.7% 87.9% 1.8% 25 121.2 46.2% 94.2% 2.2% 30 174.7 66.7% 97.5% 0.8% 35120.3 45.9% 93.8% 1.2% 40 154.2 58.9% 96.4% 1.4% 45 195.6 74.66%  98.7%0.4% 50 132.4 50.5% 95.5% 1.2% 55 100.6 38.4% 87.3% 2.0% 60 93.7 35.8%87.0% 2.6% 65 92.7 35.4% 86.4% 5.4% 90 90.0 34.3% 88.0% 10.2% 30-45252.6 96.4% 99.3% 0.4% Double 90 96.6 36.88%  94.5% 9.2% Round Bar 83.431.8% 83.2% 7.2% Ideal 262.0 100.00%  100.0% 0.0%

As shown in the trend analysis and summary of results of TABLES 16 and17, the dual 30-45 degree surface angles, as depicted in FIG. 3I,provided the most optimal threshing efficiency (99.3%) of the testedcrop and further resulting in the least amount damage (0.4%) to thecrop. In second place, the 45-degree surface angle, as depicted in FIG.3E, provided an optimal threshing efficiency of (98.7%) of the testedcrop which further resulted in minimal damage (0.4%) to the crop. Incontrast, the conventional cylindrical or round bar resulted in theleast threshing efficiency (83.2%) of the tested crop with significantdamage (7.2%) to the crop. From these results, it can be observed thatany of the configurations for bars 210 provide a significant improvementover conventional concave threshing apparatuses.

Concave Separation Grate

Referring now to FIGS. 4-12, a separation grate of the disclosuredescribed herein is disclosed for the combine harvester. In particular,FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a concave separation grate 300 ofthe disclosure described herein. Here, concave 300 can include variousinterchangeable bracket or grate members 310 secured laterally withinconcave 300. Here, each grate or bracket member 310 can include variouscombination of fingers or protruding members for separation operationsof a crop, such as crop 400. For example, a grate or bracket member 320may include an axially aligned row of small finger or small protrusionmembers 322 for separation operations, as also shown in FIG. 5. Inaddition, a bracket member 330 may include a combination of large fingeror large protrusion members 332 in combination with small protrusionmembers 322, as also shown in FIGS. 6A-6B. Here, any of protrusionfingers of the bracket or grate member may resemble a rake or combconfiguration.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an interchangeable bracket member 310,and more specifically grate or bracket 320, having having a plurality ofsmall finger protrusions 322. In particular, each of bracket member 310includes dual mounting points or mounting areas 330A wherein each caninclude a depression having at least two apertures for inserting afastener therethrough, such as a nut and bolt, for attaching andsecuring bracket member 310 to concave 300. In addition, mounting areas330A can also be used to interchange, secure, and mount other fingerprotrusions to a bracket member, such as mounting individual largefingers 332 or 334 to a bracket member, either alone, or in combinationwith the small finger protrusions 322.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate one configuration of a bracket member 310, andmore specifically bracket 330, having a combination of small fingerprotrusions 322 along with large finger protrusions 332 (which may alsobe serrated protrusions 334). Here, each protrusion 322 and 332/334 areequally spaced apart from each other. Namely, as measured from the topor distal end region of each small or large finger or protrusion, thereis a space B1 having an approximate 0.75 inches between each protrusion.In addition, from the lower or proximal region of each small or largeprotrusion, there is a space B4 having an approximate 0.625 inchesbetween each protrusion. Moreover, from the top or distal end region ofeach small or large finger or protrusion, each has a width or thicknessB2 having approximately 0.375 inches and a lower or proximal regionhaving with a width or thickness B3 having approximately 0.5 inches.Further, large fingers 332 can have a width or thickness ranging from1.0-inches up to 2.0-inches, preferably 1.5-inches. In addition, smallfingers 322 can have a width or thickness ranging from 0.5-inches up to1.0-inches, preferably 0.75-inches. However, it is contemplated withinthe scope of the disclosure described herein that each finger orprotrusion may be configured at any spacing with respect to each otherand be comprised of any desirable width or thickness. FIG. 6Cillustrates another embodiment for the bracket member 338 having aplurality of large and small width finger protrusions in an alternatingconfiguration. Here, any of the larger or smaller width fingerprotrusions may comprise a width or thickness ranging from 0.5 inches upto and including 1.5 inches.

FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up view of a small finger protrusion member322 of the disclosure described herein. In particular, protrusion 322can include a beveled, rounded, or smooth outer surface 322A to minimizeor eliminate damage to a crop that is being processed through theseparation operation. Alternatively, in other embodiments, surface 322Amay include a sharp, teethed, serrated, rough, or textured surface area,depending on the type of crop to be separated. In addition, protrusionmember 322 is configured at a tilted angle C2 between 50 to 90 degrees,and preferably approximately 78 degrees, relative to a horizontal plane.FIG. 8 illustrates a large finger protrusion member 332 of thedisclosure described herein. In particular, protrusion 332 can include abeveled, rounded, or smooth outer surface 332A to minimize or eliminatedamage to a crop that is being processed through the separationoperation. Alternatively, in other embodiments, surface 332A may includea sharp, teethed, serrated, rough, or textured surface area, dependingon the type of crop to be separated. In addition, protrusion member 332is configured at a tilted angle C3 between 50 to 90 degrees, andpreferably approximately 78 degrees, relative to a horizontal plane.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a large finger protrusionmember 334 having a serrated or teethed edge for heavier threshingoperations. In particular, protrusion member a jagged or serrated teeth334A comprised of a cut-out between 334A and 334B, a second jagged orserrated teeth 334B comprised of a cut-out between 334B and 334C, and athird jagged or serrated teeth 334C comprised of a cut-out between 334Band 334C. FIG. 10 illustrates a more detailed dimensional view of theserrated large finger protrusion member 334 of FIG. 9. In particular,member 334 can have a height or length A1 of approximately 3.0 inches,side width A2 of approximately 1.5 inches, a region A3 of approximately0.75 inches, another region A4 of approximately 0.5 inches, anotherregion A5 of approximately 0.25 inches, another region A6 ofapproximately 0.5 inches, another region A7 of approximately 0.5 inches,another region A8 of approximately 0.2 inches, and another region A9 ofapproximately 0.2 inches. In addition, serrated teeth region 334B canhave an angle A10 of approximately 160 degrees, and serrated teethregion 334C can have an angle A11 of approximately 160 degrees. Here, itis contemplated within the scope of the disclosure described herein thateach bracket member can have varying length and width fingers orprotrusions relative each other. For example, a bracket member can havea row of varying finger widths, wherein the width of a finger adjacentto another finger can vary anywhere from 5% up to and including 50%, orsuch as approximately a 10% variation.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate one method of interchanging, removing,installing, or securing an individual finger or protrusion member to anyof grate or bracket members 310 and concave assembly 300, such as finger322, 332, or 334 of the disclosure described herein. In particular, thefinger protrusion member can have an aperture or mounting region 340that allows it to be axially aligned with one or more mounting points ormounting regions on bracket 310, such as regions 330A, as shown in FIG.5, and also axially aligning the aforementioned mounting points with anaperture and mounting point 344 of concave assembly 300, as shown inFIG. 12. Here, once the mountings regions of both the finger protrusion,bracket member, and concave assembly are aligned, a fastener 342 isthreaded therethrough, thereby securing finger 322, 332, or 334 to grateor bracket member 310 and concave assembly 300. However, it iscontemplated within the scope of the disclosure that any other type ofsecurement means may be used to secure a finger protrusion member to thebracket members, such as via rivets, clamps, clasps, straps, adhesives,or via any type of welding operation.

Here, it is noted that the separation concave grate assembly 300 of thedisclosure described herein is configured such that it can be as open aspossible to provide various grains of a crop the highest probability offalling through the grate or bracket members 310 and be subsequentlycaptured. Further, the finger protrusion members 322, 332, and 334 havebeen elevated, tilted, or raised in the secured positions, as shown inFIG. 4, such that the separation concave grate interrupts the previouslythreshed crop material as much as possible in order to create as muchseparation as possible of grain from MOG (i.e chaff, shucks, stalk,leafy material) such that the grain can be captured by the combinebefore being diverted or discharged out of the back of the combine orlost. To further illustrate, the agitating finger members of one row ofbrackets or grates of the disclosure described herein can take the strawand chaff and toss it upwards, and as it falls onto the next set offingers of another row of brackets or grates, thereby causing the grainto fall through the openings of assembly 300, in a repeated operation.In addition, the serrated large finger protrusions, such as shown inFIGS. 9-10, allow the serrated-like to snag any MOG, such as stems orleafy material, that may be carrying out grain with it. In one method ofoperation, the elevated small fingers 322 are generally configured totoss or fluff the MOG whereas the serrated or non-serrated large fingersare configured to grab, pull, or snag any MOG in the separation section.Here, the small and large finger protrusions work to together in orderto provide optimal and maximum interruption of MOG before it isdischarged out of the the back of the combine. In particular, the moredense, thick, and less porous the MOG, crop material, or straw layer is,the more agitation that is required to toss, break-up, and release anythreshold grain from the MOG, crop material, or straw layer.

Further, the increased spacing of any of the finger protrusion members,such as 322, 332, and 334, allows the grain to more easily be capturedin the chaff and grain mixture while the long pieces of straw, shuck,and other MOG are displaced rearwardly and discharged out the back ofthe combine. In particular, the finger protrusion members are spacedapart from each other on bracket or grate member 310 so as to assureeffective separation of the grain while preventing passage of anundesirable amount of MOG through the grates. Here, the disclosedspacing and finger protrusion configurations provide thorough separationbetween the coarse straw, grain, chaff, and MOG while capturing threshedgrain that may have not capture in the threshing concave bar, such asconcave assembly 200. Further, the alternating configuration of thevarious size/configuration fingers, such as shown in FIGS. 6A and 11C,is optimized to allow for more agitation, interruption, and disruptionof the crop material. Here, the aforementioned-elevated fingerprotrusion configurations on the bracket or grate members can be similarto measuring surface roughness. Here, separation effectiveness can befound to be a function of roughness, wherein the more rough the grate(i.e. varying height of fingers/more peaks and valleys in separatorgrate), the more tossing and fluffing of the crop and thus the moreeffective separation of grain from MOG which results in more grainretained by the combined rather than being diverted out of the combineor lost.

It is contemplated within the scope of the disclosure described hereinthat any of finger protrusions 322, 332, and 334 may be comprised ofsteel material to improve longevity, durability, and wearability,including but not limited to: carbon steels, alloy steels, stainlesssteels, and tool steels. Preferably, protrusions 322, 332, and 334 maybe made of carbon steel, having a carbon content ranging fromapproximately 0.1 to 1.5%. In particular, a low carbon steel may containup to 0.3% carbon, a medium carbon steel containing 0.3-0.6% carbon, anda high carbon steel containing more than 0.6% carbon. Moreover, thesteel protrusions 322, 332, and 334 may also be cold formed, viaprocesses such as rolling, bending, shearing, and drawing, among others.

TABLES 18-30 illustrate the the various test data simulations for anexemplary tested crop, such as a corn cob, with respect to aconventional separation grates and the various finger protrusions 322,332, and 334 for grate or bracket members 310 or 320 of the disclosuredescribed herein. In particular, the conditions or constraints of thecrop and separation operation for this particular exemplary test areshown with respect to TABLE 18:

TABLE 18 Conditions 260 bu/acre 16% moisture 56.33 lb/bu 1566 seeds/lb88,212 seeds/bu 29 mm concave clearance 320 rpm rotor speed 12 row head(30 ft) 30 in corn rows

TABLE 19 Conventional Separation Grate (Control) with 0.25-in Width orThickness Fingers THEORETICAL GRAIN PASS GRAIN EMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER# OF FINGER PASS LENGTH VOLUME GRAIN SEPARATION LOSS ACRE FINGERS WIDTH# (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT) (Bu) 0 0.25 1 200 35.81 31.3287.45% 12.0 4.49 0 0.25 2 200 35.81 31.52 88.02% 11.0 4.29 0 0.25 3 20035.81 30.98 86.51% 13.0 4.83 0 0.25 4 200 35.81 31.47 87.89% 11.0 4.34 00.25 5 200 35.81 31.12 86.90% 12.0 4.69 AVERAGE 31.28 87.35% 11.80 4.53

TABLE 20 4-Small Fingers with 0.75-in Width or Thickness THEORETICALGRAIN PASS GRAIN EMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER # OF FINGER PASS LENGTH VOLUMEGRAIN SEPARATION LOSS ACRE FINGERS WIDTH # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY(1 SQ FT) (Bu) 4 0.75″ 1 200 35.81 32.02 89.41% 10.0 3.79 4 0.75″ 2 20035.81 31.57 88.17% 11.0 4.24 4 0.75″ 3 200 35.81 31.27 87.33% 12.0 4.544 0.75″ 4 200 35.81 31.51 88.00% 11.0 4.30 4 0.75″ 5 200 35.81 31.1486.95% 12.0 4.67 AVERAGE 31.50 87.97% 11.20 4.31

TABLE 21 8-Small Fingers with 0.75-in Width or Thickness THEORETICALGRAIN PASS GRAIN EMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER # OF FINGER PASS LENGTH VOLUMEGRAIN SEPARATION LOSS ACRE FINGERS WIDTH # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY(1 SQ FT) (Bu) 8 0.75″ 1 200 35.81 32.44 90.59% 9.0 3.37 8 0.75″ 2 20035.81 31.52 88.02% 11.0 4.29 8 0.75″ 3 200 35.81 32.09 89.62% 10.0 3.728 0.75″ 4 200 35.81 31.47 87.89% 11.0 4.34 8 0.75″ 5 200 35.81 31.1286.90% 12.0 4.69 AVERAGE 31.73 88.60% 10.60 4.08

TABLE 22 12-Small Fingers with 0.75-in Width or Thickness THEORETICALGRAIN PASS GRAIN EMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER # OF FINGER PASS LENGTH VOLUMEGRAIN SEPARATION LOSS ACRE FINGERS WIDTH # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY(1 SQ FT) (Bu) 12 0.75″ 1 200 35.81 31.93 89.16% 10.0 3.88 12 0.75″ 2200 35.81 32.46 90.65% 9.0 3.35 12 0.75″ 3 200 35.81 31.80 88.79% 11.04.01 12 0.75″ 4 200 35.81 32.33 90.28% 9.0 3.48 12 0.75″ 5 200 35.8131.87 88.99% 10.0 3.94 AVERAGE 32.08 89.57% 9.80 3.73

TABLE 23 16-Small Fingers with 0.75-in Width or Thickness THEORETICALGRAIN PASS GRAIN EMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER # OF FINGER PASS LENGTH VOLUMEGRAIN SEPARATION LOSS ACRE FINGERS WIDTH # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY(1 SQ FT) (Bu) 16 0.75″ 1 200 35.81 32.33 90.29% 9.0 3.48 16 0.75″ 2 20035.81 32.69 91.28% 8.0 3.12 16 0.75″ 3 200 35.81 32.07 89.55% 10.0 3.7416 0.75″ 4 200 35.81 32.25 90.05% 9.0 3.56 16 0.75″ 5 200 35.81 32.2790.13% 9.0 3.54 AVERAGE 32.32 90.26% 9.00 3.49

TABLE 24 4-Large Fingers with 1.5-in Width or Thickness THEORETICALGRAIN PASS GRAIN EMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER # OF FINGER PASS LENGTH VOLUMEGRAIN SEPARATION LOSS ACRE FINGERS WIDTH # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY(1 SQ FT) (Bu) 4 1.50″ 1 200 35.81 32.05 89.51% 9.0 3.76 4 1.50″ 2 20035.81 32.33 90.28% 9.0 3.48 4 1.50″ 3 200 35.81 31.79 88.76% 10.0 4.02 41.50″ 4 200 35.81 31.45 87.83% 11.0 4.36 4 1.50″ 5 200 35.81 31.9489.19% 10.0 3.87 AVERAGE 31.91 89.11% 9.80 3.90

TABLE 25 8-Large Fingers with 1.5-in Width or Thickness THEORETICALGRAIN PASS GRAIN EMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER FINGER PASS LENGTH VOLUMEGRAIN SEPARATION LOSS ACRE WIDTH # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY (1 SQ FT)(Bu) 8 1.50″ 1 200 35.81 33.13 92.51% 7.0 2.68 8 1.50″ 2 200 35.81 32.7191.33% 8.0 3.10 8 1.50″ 3 200 35.81 33.54 93.65% 6.0 2.27 8 1.50″ 4 20035.81 33.08 92.38% 7.0 2.73 8 1.50″ 5 200 35.81 32.65 91.19% 8.0 3.16AVERAGE 33.02 92.21% 7.20 2.79

TABLE 26 12-Large Fingers with 1.5-in Width or Thickness THEORETICALGRAIN PASS GRAIN EMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER # OF FINGER PASS LENGTH VOLUMEGRAIN SEPARATION LOSS ACRE FINGERS WIDTH # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY(1 SQ FT) (Bu) 12 1.50″ 1 200 35.81 34.67 96.83% 3.0 1.14 12 1.50″ 2 20035.81 34.23 95.59% 4.0 1.58 12 1.50″ 3 200 35.81 33.83 94.48% 5.0 1.9812 1.50″ 4 200 35.81 34.65 96.76% 3.0 1.16 12 1.50″ 5 200 35.81 34.6396.70% 3.0 1.18 AVERAGE 34.40 96.07% 3.60 1.41

TABLE 27 16-Large Fingers with 1.5-in Width or Thickness THEORETICALGRAIN PASS GRAIN EMPIRICAL GRAIN LOSS PER # OF FINGER PASS LENGTH VOLUMEGRAIN SEPARATION LOSS ACRE FINGERS WIDTH # (ft) (Bu) VOLUME EFFICIENCY(1 SQ FT) (Bu) 16 1.50″ 1 200 35.81 34.65 96.75% 3.0 1.16 16 1.50″ 2 20035.81 35.02 97.81% 2.0 0.79 16 1.50″ 3 200 35.81 34.66 96.79% 3.0 1.1516 1.50″ 4 200 35.81 34.64 96.72% 3.0 1.17 16 1.50″ 5 200 35.81 35.0297.81% 2.0 0.79 AVERAGE 34.80 97.18% 2.60 1.01

TABLE 28 Control Grate Ra and Root Mean Square (RMS) Calculations (eachrow representing a row of bracket members having fingers on the concaveseparator) CONTROL GRATE - (143) 0.25″ FINGERS Ra RMS Row 1 0.25 0.250.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 2 0.250.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 30.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row4 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750Row 5 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25000.2750 Row 6 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.2500 0.2750 Row 7 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 8 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 9 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 10 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 11 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 12 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 13 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 AVG 0.2500 0.2750

TABLE 29 Ra and Root Mean Square (RMS) Performance Calculations of theSmall and Large Finger Configurations (each row representing a row ofbracket members having fingers on the concave separator) BEST PERFORMINGPROTOTYPE GRATE - (16) 1.50″ FINGER Ra RMS Row 1 1.50 0.25 0.25 1.500.25 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.7045 0.7750 Row 2 1.50 0.25 0.251.50 0.25 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.7045 0.7750 Row 3 1.50 0.250.25 1.50 0.25 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.7045 0.7750 Row 4 1.500.25 0.25 1.50 0.25 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.25 0.25 1.50 0.7045 0.7750 Row 50.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row6 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750Row 7 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25000.2750 Row 8 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.2500 0.2750 Row 9 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 10 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 11 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 12 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 Row 13 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.250.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.2500 0.2750 AVG 0.3899 0.4288

TABLE 30 Summary of Results for the Control, Small, and Large FingerConfigurations # OF CONTROL TEST FINGERS # OF TEST FINGER ROUGHNESSROUGHNESS SEPARATION (0.25″) FINGERS WIDTH (Ra) (RMS) EFFICIENCY Control143 0 — 0.2500 0.2750 87.4% 139 4 0.75″ 0.2640 0.2904 88.0% 131 8 0.75″0.2780 0.3058 88.6% 119 12 0.75″ 0.2920 0.3212 89.6% 103 16 0.75″ 0.30590.3365 90.3% 99 4 1.50″ 0.2850 0.3135 89.1% 91 8 1.50″ 0.3199 0.351992.2% 79 12 1.50″ 0.3549 0.3904 96.1% Best 63 16 1.50″ 0.3899 0.428997.2% Performing Ideal 100.00%

As shown in the summary of results of TABLE 30, a bracket member 310having a row of 16 large finger protrusions 332 or 334 havingapproximate 1.5-in width or thickness, either with or without serratededges, respectively, provided the most optimal and efficient separationof the test crop. Specifically, based on the number of fingers perbracket member, finger width, surface roughness average (Ra) of thefingers (measured as surface peaks and valleys), and a Root Mean Square(RMS) calculation of the surface roughness, the most optimal separationefficiency was calculated to be the 16 large finger configurations ofthe disclosure described herein having a 97.2% efficiency rate, eitherin serrated or smooth non-serrated configurations. More significantly,all of the aforementioned configurations of the disclosure describedherein had a markedly improved efficiency rate over conventional orstandard concave separation grates in the art, such as grates havingfingers with an approximately 0.25 in. width or thickness.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for separating grain in a combineharvester, comprising: a bracket member coupled to a concave; aplurality of first protruding members adapted to separate grain andsecured to the bracket member and having a first configuration, thefirst protruding members each having a proximal region and a distalregion, wherein the proximal region and distal region are in the sameplane, and further wherein the proximal region comprises a larger widthor diameter relative to the distal region; the first protruding membershaving an elevation or angled relative to a horizontal plane whensecured to the bracket member; a plurality of second protruding membersadapted to separate grain and having a second configuration independentof the first configuration of the first protruding members, wherein thesecond protruding members comprise a lower region and an upper region,wherein the lower region is smaller in width relative to the upperregion; and wherein the plurality of first protruding members and secondprotruding members have substantially the same height with respect toeach other and are secured to the bracket member and spaced apart fromeach other.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, the first configuration of thefirst protruding members are further comprised of a smooth, beveled, orrounded exterior surface.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thesecond protruding members are further comprised of a smooth, beveled, orrounded exterior surface.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thesecond protruding members are further secured to the bracket member incombination with the first protruding members.
 5. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the second protruding members further comprise a serratededge configuration.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the serratededge configuration is comprised of at least two partial cut-outs therebydefining a first teeth, second teeth, and third teeth.
 7. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the bracket member is further comprised of one ormore mounting regions configured to be mounted to a concave of thecombine harvester.